Tate House, Colonial house museum in Stroudwater, Portland, United States.
Tate House is a colonial-era mansion built with timber framing and clapboard siding, featuring a distinctive gambrel roof with clerestory windows across five bays. The interior contains Georgian-style rooms with carved wooden paneling and period furnishings that reflect affluent coastal living.
The house was constructed in 1755 for George Tate, a Royal Navy captain involved in selecting and shipping white pine timber to Britain for naval mast production. His control of this valuable timber trade made him one of Maine's wealthiest residents during the colonial era.
The house displays carved woodwork and furnishings brought from England during the colonial period, showing how wealthy shipbuilding families furnished their homes. These imported pieces reveal the taste and connections of merchants who profited from maritime trade.
The house is presented through guided tours that typically run during the warmer months and allow visitors to explore the rooms and learn about the residents. Plan visits during the main season for regular access, though off-season appointments can often be arranged by contacting ahead.
Excavations on the property uncovered pottery and dining ware from the 1700s that shed light on everyday life and eating habits in a wealthy household. These findings help visitors understand how people of means lived and what they valued in their daily routines.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
